Darley to Sponsor OBS Champions Day

The five-race card, which includes increased purses, will take place Feb. 11

Ocala Breeders' Sales Company announced Dec. 26 that Darley will be sponsoring the 2008 OBS Day of Champions. The races will be supplemented with a combination of increased purses and seasons to three of Darley’s stallions, and will mark the debut of OBS’ new Safetrack all-weather surface.

The five-race card is scheduled for Feb. 11, the day before the OBS Selected Two-Year-Olds in Training sale.

“We are delighted to welcome Darley’s participation in our Day of Champions,” said OBS president Tom Chiota. “It will expand the relationship we enjoy with them and focus attention on the Florida Thoroughbred industry.”

Darley Chief Operating Officer Dan Pride echoed that sentiment, saying, “The Ocala market continues to play a hugely important role in the Thoroughbred industry and we are proud to be involved.”

The purse for the Darley OBS Championship Stakes for colts and geldings at 1 1/16 miles will be increased from $100,000 to $150,000, and the purse for the six-furlong Darley OBS Sprint for colts and geldings is being raised from $50,000 to $75,000.

While the purse for the filly division of the Darley OBS Championship Stakes remains $100,000, the winner will receive a new bonus — the choice of a 2008 or 2009 season to Darley Stallion Henny Hughes, who stands for $40,000. The purse for the Darley OBS Sprint for fillies remains $50,000, but the winner will receive the choice of a 2008 or 2009 season to Rockport Harbor, standing for $20,000.

The remaining race on the card will be the five-furlong Florida Thoroughbred Charities Stakes, with a $50,000 guaranteed purse, plus the winner getting the choice of a 2008 or 2009 season to Kafwain, who stands for $10,000 and is a son of Florida-bred champion Cherokee Run.

This will be the 19th renewal of the OBS Day of Champions. The four Darley OBS races are open to 3-year-olds of 2008 that have gone through the auction ring at an OBS Sale. The Florida Thoroughbred Charities Stakes is open to the progeny of stallions whose seasons were donated to selected charity auctions.